I took the Nursing Licensure Examination last December 2011. And as expected for any board examination, examinees visit various churches to pray for them to pass, and so I did. One of the churches we visited was St. Claire in Katipunan. Thankfully, I passed the examination and it is time to go back and give thanks to St. Claire. =)

Going there is very simple, you just have to ride the LRT2 going to Santolan and alight at Katipunan Station, South Wing. From there you can walk to your right and pass right under the bridge (refer to the picture below) and you can see vendors which leads to the church entrance.

Like we did before, I bought a tray of eggs for P35.00. The eggs are wrapped in various colors, as per the vendor, the colors signify your prayers. Blue, which I bought, is for hope, Red is for good luck, Green is for money, and I can’t remember the rest. ;p

I did a little research about the egg offerings because I’m really curious, why eggs?? I mean, is it St. Claire’s favorite food? And we even jokingly said that it is for San Pedro, so that our prayers can easily pass his gate.

“It is believed that offering eggs to the Poor Clares in exchange for prayer petition of a good weather, works. By tradition, a dozen eggs (representing the twelve months of the year) is offered even if one wishes only for a day or two without rain.” -Indeed, when I was in high school, every foundation day or any celebration of different departments, I hear my teachers say that they will offer eggs to St. Claire for a good weather.

“There really is no one true explanation how this tradition came about. But in Dr. Alejandro Roces’ book “Fiesta,” he theorized that this may have something to do with Sta. Clara’s name. “Clara” in Castillian means “a short interval of fair weather on a rainy day.” In Spanish however, “clara” pertains to the albumen or egg white. This then translates to offering claras (egg whites) to Sta. Clara to pray for a clara (fair weather) during a rainy day.”

So there..more on passing the tradition and giving meaning to it =)

Upon entering the gate of the church, you will see this huge dog, sleeping or standing at the guard post (beware for those with kids). But seriously, he is so nice, he doesn’t bark, it is like he’s been guarding the place for years…=) you can pat his head and he will just stare at you thanking you for petting him =) And yes, he is so big he looks like a boar, but I still find him cute. =)

Next to the guard house is the wishing fountain, any amount would do. But the challenge is, you gotta hit the top most part of the fountain which is really hard. But it feels like a pro once you get the shot, seriously. =) Of course, you pray before tossing your coin.

Next to the wishing fountain is St. Claire’s statue where people offer candles or sampaguitas and prayers. Prayer booklets for novena are available at the side of the statue and once you are done, you can just return it for the next users.

At the back is the church, and this is the beautiful front side of the church.

Next to St. Claire’s statue is the church, the entrance is on the left side. Of course, I wasn’t able to take a photo of the church from the inside. Last time I checked, mass schedule is Mon-Sat 6am and Sundays at 6:30am and 5:30pm.

Right after the mass, people usually go to an area where in you will right your prayers on a piece of paper and give it to the nuns who will pray for you. Pens, pencils and papers are available there. This is also the place to give your colorful eggs. =)

Going there with my friends praying for guidance felt really good. But going there alone, thanking her for everything felt so peaceful… Yes, you can pray anywhere and any time, but a little effort with the perfect ambiance helps a lot too! =) Have a blessed Summer everyone! =)

70 Responses to An egg for a prayer – St. Claire Katipunan

I used to pass by this place when I was in PSBA. Once a peacefully deserted compound with dry leaves scattered around. And if I’m not mistaken this was once “Monasterio de Santa Clara.” Then one day something miraculous happened here. Then people started swarming the place and then they changed the name to St. Claire. That’s what I heard. Well, congratulations! blo-awt :)

Thanks! It is still a a peacefully deserted compound, it is well maintained and guards are everywhere. =) And yes, it is still a Monastery, home for the nuns who serves as the choir for every mass and pray for everyone. Thanks for visiting my blog! I’m just new here.. Will definitely check yours in a bit! =)

Congratulations dear! =) You are such a good hearted person and your prayers deserve to be answered. =) Everything that I asked for in this monastery was also answered, perhaps not because of the egg, but because of the sincerity of the intentions. St. Claire loves a forgiving heart and Jesus Christ hears her intercession when the person praying has first forgiven all those who have wronged him or her… =) Forgive and stay happy. =)

Thank you so much! Sorry if this is a late reply. I agree with you. Indeed, it’s about the egg, it’s the pure prayers that comes with offering it. The egg is just a material representation of what we offer to God. May God bless us all! =)

St. Claire rules!!!! Love you so much god, papa jesus, mama mary, papa joseph, st. claire, all the saints and all the angels above thank you so much for the blessings… I pass the civil service in one exam because of them. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much….

Congratulations to all of you! Thanks for sharing your experiences…. I’m also going to visit and of course offer eggs to St. Claire… hoping that She will guide me in the forthcoming bar examinations… hoping you will include me in your prayers… God Bless…

Godbless on your upcoming bar exam! They say when you pray for something, you must believe and claim that it’s already granted. Therefore, congratulations on passing! ^^ Don’t forget to try the wishing fountain in St. Claire! =)

@thecatlovermanhater- nice blog you got here. :-) congrats to u nurse ka na. i would like to visit and attend mass here too. and of course, offer eggs… like shella marie im also taking the bar exam this oct2012…. hoping and believing with all my heart to pass too. :-) i’d be very thankful if u could include me in ur prayers too.. Godbless everyone. :-)

Thank you! No doubt, you guys will definitely pass! Saint Claire would be too happy that a lot of people are visiting her. Hope we won’t forget to visit her back after the exams! ;) Might visit here back this weekend, I’ll pray to give you guys guidance and courage for it’s already decided, you guys will pass. Be positive and just BELIEVE. Godbless us!

Hi! Hahaha I didn’t know about that? Thanks for the correction, I’ll take note of it. ;) No matter what the spelling is or whatever people these days call it, we still refer to one place where our hopes and prayers are answered, that’s what matters. ^^

Back then I was a devotee of St. Clare. She was introduced to me by my godmother. She never failed any prayer requests I asked from her. One example was that for 9 years, I had an only son, I prayed to St Clare to give me another one which she heeded. However, I had gone a different path for a while, but I realized that I was wrong and now, I am back and I don’t think I will go astray again.

Thank you for an inspiring story, why not make a blog out of it? I’m glad that you were able to find your way back. =) Those are just challenges in life that we have to go through just for us to learn. I really hope and pray that people who are lost will get inspired by your story and get back to right path. All mistakes are always forgiven as long as we ask for it. ^^

Hi, I don’t have the exact time frame but I’m sure that the mass is only once per day and it’s in the morning. I believe until 7 or 8 you can still go in and say a short prayer. There are guards inside to assist you anytime. =)

St. Claire hears all prayers. From simple short quizzes, to major exams, to board and bar exams, for good weather for events, healing of the sick and even for miraculous conception, thus even prayers for local jobs or working visa abroad are not new to her. Just go there, say your PRAYER and intention, BELIEVE, and then WAIT. =)

Hi Angelica! I’m not sure but based on the posts in the vicinity..mass is only held once a day in the morning so I believe that they are not open at 7pm on wards. However, during Sundays, mass is scheduled morning and night so you might wanna visit St. Clare during Sundays if you have a preferred time. Hope it helps! ^^

hi.. just attended the 6:30am mass today at St. Clare.. :-) i bought eggs with blue, red and pink colors; BTW, blue is for exams, red for goodluck, yellow for general wishes, green for money and pink for family. i tried the wishing fountain and it was really fulfilling to land the coins at the topmost part. :-) will be back for sure… the black dog wasn’t there by the way. MASS SKED: Mon-Sat 6am and Sundays at 6:30am and 5:30pm. thank you thecatlovermanhater, your blog was a big help. :-) hoping to pass the bar exam this oct2012. :-)

HELLO! Thank you very much for updating us regarding the mass sched and all..haha I’m so happy that you enjoyed the wishing fountain! haha too bad you weren’t able to see the cute dog I’m talking about. Thanks for the feedback! really aprpeciate it! YOU WILL PASS your exam for sure! ^^

Thank you for this blog…Hoping and pls. pray for my daughter to pass her exam (National Competitive Examination in Philippine Science High School) this coming sep 29, 2012. We love to visit St. Clare every time my review ang daughter ko and some time we offer also eggs but I dont know the meaning of the colors so we just bought eggs to offer. Every time na pumupunta kami ng daughter ko we feel her (St. Clare) presence.

WOW, it’s great to hear that even the youth still visits St. Clare not only those who will take major exams. =) I agree, the place indeed is relaxing it’s like you’re not in the city. It’s really peaceful. I know your daughter will be a great achiever specially with a God fearing and supportive mom like you! ^^

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hi again. bar exams done. last day of the 4sundays was oct 28.. thank you Lord that i was able to survive. :-) i went back at St. Clare monastery last oct31 to say thank you… it was just a happy feeling waiting for the result of the bar exam, knowing that going to St. Clare gives me solitude. BTW, the monastery opens at 5am and closes at 6pm every Mon-Sat… 5:30am and 7pm on Sundays. thank you @thecatlovermanhater.. :-) hoping to pass and fulfill my dream of becoming a lawyer. God Bless everyone. :-)

Hello! Wow. When will the results be out? Time goes by so fast, I remembered going there to ask for guidance, then next thing I knew, I was already back thanking Her for the blessing of passing the exam and I know you’ll be back there for sure. =) Thank you for giving feedback, exams are done, you can now breathe and chill..I’d definitely look forward to seeing your name on the most awaited list of passers! ^^

Good day! Me & my husband had a hard time having a baby, we tried the scientific method but it didn’t work, my husband that time will be leaving Monday to join in the ship again, Sunday I decided to go there to hear Holy Mass & lay my wish of having a baby before he leaves, miracles really happen the next month I got pregnant. Thank you so much to God through St. Claire, by the way this was also the church where I prayed for my boyfriend which turned be my husband now. I go back there for thanksgiving and wishing again for the second time. Indeed St. Claire hears a faithful heart. Glory to God!

Dear Lord, my wife is not with me now due to some misunderstanding she went to her relative home and make a police compliant against me and she and her family treated me as a dog Dear Lord i am ready to forgive all this things but i want her to come to me with my Child and say Sorry for what had happened and lead a good life. In this battle my only Child Sara mathew is affected May heavenly God Give her Strength to bear all this. Dear Lord Please do Miracle in my life and bring back her and my child to me with out any compromise and she should feel sorry for what she did.

Reading all of this I really felt inspired, I wasjust googling as how can I get to St, Claire in Katipunan..and here I am reading every story here. I hope I’m not asking too much of everyone, but I do believe that prayers are so powerful that when we all pray God hears them. Please pray for me..I’ll be having my Medtech board exams tomorrow and on wednesday, Results might be released on march 22 or 23, I do hope to be A registered Medical technologist by then. I will go to St. Claire today and do as what everyone has told in here. Thank you everyone, I pray for each of us. Godbless!

Dear St. Clare Please pray for my family of good health always, I love my family so much please help us in our needs both spiritually and financially. Please ask Lord Jesus to forgive us in our sins so that we will maintain a happy, healthy family relationship. In Jesus name thrugh the intercession of st. clare. amen

Hi! I am so happy to have stumbled upon your site. I was thinking of going to St. Clare this week before the PNLE and I was looking for schedules and the likes. This blog entry is really helpful. I’ll be taking my board exam this Sun, please pray for me.

Dear ST. clare Please pray thank you for all the Blessing youve Showered us everydAsay . We ask your Contuite heart to pardon our sins as we repenting on if as i took the board licnsure examination for teachers please held your helping hard for as to pass the board examination for teachers and to used it as a helping hard to my teacher

Dear St. Claire, It’s been so long that I’ve been wanting to conceive again, last year I thought Iam coz I almost got positive result on PT, my partner and I were so happy but after two months,we went again to my Doctor and done some test and ultrasound, and we found out that I’m not havin a baby, theres somethin wrong wth my egg…It hurts me so much of xpectin that I’m pregnant but I’m not,I almost cried for a WEeks, …my partner left with no hope in me of havin his own child wth me.He was a seaman..Now he’s here again but will only stay untill Sept..
St. Claire plz give me a baby this month of August…I tried and done so many medicines and fertility enhancement juz to get pregnant by the month of July ,last month..but the result was negative,St. Claire Please help me conceive a healthy,normal baby boy if posible but f not evn a baby grl…I beg u please hear my prayers…

mahal kung santa clara help me to prayer to pass the board examination for teacher to enlighten me to correct me and to guide me in the way to board examination for teacher na magkaroon ng sapat na kaalaman para masagot k ang tanong by your guidance and blessin g alam k at tulongan u po ako please lord clean my body and soul so that i can work perfectly according to your will thanks you lord for everything…

This blog is very helpful and inspiring as well…. Please help pray for peace in my beloved Zamboanga city … and that I maybe able to answer well the bar Questions despite the odds in my review.. Thanks!

Thanks for giving me strength and positive thoughts in this past few days. I know you will help me and guide me whatever happens. Please help me to pass my civil service examination this October 13 2013.. kayo napo ang bahala. maraming salamt po.

sometimes everything happens has a misery behind…i just came back in the Philippines and destined to have a church visits and trying to figure out what is the reason behind,..Just like every who has a ceratin wish and seeking for an answer…..i already went to quiapo church& manila cathedral. Tom is scheduled for Antipolo church and my close friend had introduced me to go to St. Claire… so my journey to every church for a short span before i leave is the best thing I ever had spending my time :-)

good morning:) I learned about st. Clare thru my co-teacher who just visited last week.,she advised me to go and visit there for our intention for the incoming LET board exam on sunday Aug.17,2014…I hope I can go there too before Sunday..thanks and may our prayer and wish will be granted…

Thanks for this blog! Off to pray to St. Clare on my birthday on Sept. 8 for intercession for the upcoming bar exams…would anybody here know if it’s true that the nuns at the Monastery of St. Clare prefer cash donations now instead of eggs for practical reasons?

I hope the prayers of our folks posted here as comments have all been granted, especially Matthew who yearns for his family to be reconciled. Such need is greater than passing any exam because family is forever and what a touching move for the father of the family to be the one to step forward and ask for St. Clare’s intercession.

For all the students or bar/board candidates, you may want to google the Student’s Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas, it’s also a good and practical prayer.

I came across the blog of a mother about bringing her son to St. Clare and when she peeped into her boy’s prayer petitions as he wrote, instead of writing a petition for his upcoming grade school exams, the boy prayed for a baby brother and a baby sister. It turns out the mother is a cancer-patient and chemotherapy has damaged parts of her body. I love what she wrote in closing and it sounds like, “cancer may have damaged my body, but never my spirit.” I hope she was indeed given a baby :)

May all our prayers come true, according to the will of God. Cheers, everyone! ;)

st. claire i know you will hear our prayer of conceiving a baby. I can feel that you are now touching my womb. This is also my birthday gift wish to my partner this coming sept 19, 2014. My dear st. claire please hear and answer our prayers in Jesus name amen.